Three charged with raping special needs student in West Memphis High School bathroom

WEST MEMPHIS, Ark. (WMC/CNN) - Three Arkansas teenagers are facing charges for allegedly raping a special needs student.

The victim says it happened repeatedly in the bathroom at school.

Folks in West Memphis are shocked by the arrest of three West Memphis high students, ages 15 to 17, charged with battery and first-degree rape of a 16-year-old special needs student, an incident police say happened inside the school last month.

Investigators say the three suspects were in a school bathroom, skipping class.

The victim came in to use the bathroom and the suspects tried to rob him. They also started beating him, breaking two ribs.

The victim told police one of the suspects raped him in the bathroom. He said he told the principal and was sent back to class and was told it would be handled the next day.

The victim's aunt called police when she learned of the incident from her nephew.

West Memphis police reports indicate the three suspects gave different stories about what happened, but all admitted to skipping class and hanging out in the bathroom.

All three suspects were charged as adults.

Barry Adams says he is shocked that something like that could happen at the school.

"My son goes to West Memphis High School and I have a lot of faith in them to do the right thing," said Adams.